Read: Acts 9:26–31

Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and described to them how on the road Saul had seen the Lord. Acts 9:27

The apostles had known Saul to be an enemy and persecutor of the church. Therefore, they were reluctant to believe in Saul’s conversion and hesitated to welcome him into their community. Enter Barnabas, a respected member of the church. Barnabas was a man of standing who had been financially generous to the fledgling church. Barnabas, who’d had his own conversion experience, came to Saul’s defense. Eventually, on Barnabas’s word, Saul was accepted.

When you live in right relationship with God, when you follow God’s lead, when you allow conversion to take hold of you, God will take care of you. God will find a way to advocate for you. God may even provide a Barnabas to speak on your behalf.

Who has been a Barnabas for you?

Lord, if Barnabas had not stood in Sauls defense, who knows if Your church would have succeeded in traveling around the globe! Thankfully, Barnabas was there speaking Your truth to powerful and prophetic men. I thank You for Barnabas and for the many people who have come to my defense. Help me to stand up for others when support is needed and deserved. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.